Hidden builders costs??

[Guest Leanne & Mark]

Trying to work out where and what we can afford to have built, so for those that have done this....We've seen various plots of land all over, and were looking at the houses on the AVjennings site (no particular reason, but it gave us an idea of prices) The houses we looked at are 4+ beds. and around $140k (liked $199k but better not) but what else do you have to cover ?...E.G ground works, Aircon, Fencing, carpets ,Tiles, landscaping. paving gardens etc etc

 

How much on top of $140 should we budget for?? (not inc land)

[andy and lindsey]

Hi there we are building with AV Jennings - you need to budget for footings - prices vary dependant on where you are building and how flat your plot is, ie do you need retaining walls etc. Airconditioning, floor coverings, rainwater tank - they are actually putting in the provision for it and we need to get tank and plumbing sorted, fencing, landscaping, paths around house and driveway and window treatments (blinds or curtains) - the other thing that you may have to watch out for is bush fire treatment and whether you are on mains sewerage. Cant think of anymore but if you want a more indepth breakdown just drop me a pm and I will fill you in - we have our fixed price contract now - hopefully in for December

 

Lindsey

[Guest macu68]

As a family hoping to move later in the year and rent maybe with OAA, we are looking to buy land and build or do land package build thingy. How have you found it? Did you speak to lots of land/build people or stick with one? Just looking for some background info before we get there really.

[Guest Rob and Clare]

The only other thing to add is the level of termite protection you want, irrigation (if you want it), solar hot water (i thought this was a requirement now) and storm water. Some builders include it some don't. and then of course all your options in the house.. The basic toilet covered by Sterling Homes was really nasty and cheap and needed upgrading to something basic, but everything we wanted was a couple of hundred bucks...

 

I reckon for us the whole lot cost $23,000 plus we spent approx another $20,000 on upgrades (this did include a veranda though).

 

It did seem that duing building that costs crept out of every corner, saying that, i would do it again...

[Guest Leanne & Mark]

Hi guys and Thanks, We would like to go as Eco as costs allow (not extremely though!! no composting toilets or anything:nah:) like solar panels for water and pool we looked at a system here a few years back that took your house hold water filtered it and recycled it for your toilets and washing machine.

So do you think, that if we look at $140k house we can safely allow $180k for all inc, a few upgrades and get a pool out of that as well?? Or i we looking at more like $200k?

We are determined not to have a big mortgage.

 

Also we have seen plots varing from $80k to $180k do these prices shoot up?As most of em say in region of upwards from??

[Guest smit]

Hi guys and Thanks, We would like to go as Eco as costs allow (not extremely though!! no composting toilets or anything:nah:) like solar panels for water and pool we looked at a system here a few years back that took your house hold water filtered it and recycled it for your toilets and washing machine.

So do you think, that if we look at $140k house we can safely allow $180k for all inc, a few upgrades and get a pool out of that as well?? Or i we looking at more like $200k?

We are determined not to have a big mortgage.

 

Also we have seen plots varing from $80k to $180k do these prices shoot up?As most of em say in region of upwards from??

Basic cost 140k....id say 180-200k finished ...for want you want .....pool another 25k...........................only going on others and experience.......someone else may have clearer estimstes.

[Guest graandjac]

Hi Guys , one thing that hasen't been mentioned is the fact that land is not as easy to come buy as you might think. Yes there is lots of developments around but there are waiting lists, we put our names down on the next release in seaford rise which was ment to be nov/dec 07 and still nothing. And when land is released it is only in small amounts say 15 to 20 blocks at a time, Not trying to panic anyone just its not something we banked on , so you might need to alow so extra time to secure the special block.

 

Cheers Graham

[Guest Libby1971]

All the advice you have received is good.

 

The more expensive blocks are the ones that are flatter and the cheaper ones are like cliff faces! Builders are limited in terms of what can reasonably be built on the gradient - for example we really love a design called the Adelaide, a beastie of a house. But we couldn't find a block flat enough within budget, and to have it built so it was split level would have made it out of our price range.

 

Pools at $25k include the fencing, heating, covers, paving etc. These are the fibreglass inground pools. We had a quote for a concrete one and is was $42k - I was chuckling about that one for days!!!

 

Make sure you have budgeted for absolutely everything and allowed an extra for unforeseeables, talk to the builders. In some cases, it hasn't been until the builders have started digging htat they have discovered rock which then costs extra.

[Guest Tina P]

Hi

 

We are building at Mclaren Flat - The Orchard. We settle on the land this Friday, the stamp duty is only paid on the land, so a saving.

 

We have chosen Homestead Homes and are at a very early stage, picked the home we like and we have upgraded a few things from the standard package, internal doors x 10, front door, electric garage door, shower (hose only), fitted wardrobes, laundry room cupboards and cooker canopy plus flu all comes to around $5,300.

So much more can be upgraded and I think our basic upgrades are just to make the home look that bit nicer plus you MUST have an electric door on the garage !

 

We have to budget for footings, crossover, stormwater, raintank, drive & pathway, fence, landscaping, aircon and flooring. Not all will be done by the builder. Mclaren is a medium bushfire risk area so we may have to do extra's for this !

 

When we get prices I will add to this post if it all helps out.

 

The soil tests are being done now so when they come back with a price for the footings we will let you know.

 

Oh plus when the slab goes down you start paying, just the interest on the loan until the house is finished and our payments for the build are in 5 stages. So rent and mortgage.

 

Exciting though.

 

Tina

[Guest Guzzler&Sas]

Hi,

 

We moved into our new home 12 weeks ago, there should be no "hidden costs" by the time you sign your contract, our house design at the time was $125,000 off plan, by the time we altered and upgraded the price came in at $190,000, on top of this we had to do storm-water, air con/heating, floor coverings, driveway,fencing, rainwater tank and general landscaping, for this you can add another $50,000 quite easily,

 

All good fun and in our opinion well worth it,

 

Guzzler

[Guest Shy Ted]

Could you guys post which builders you used along with any other recommendations for contractors etc? Any pirces of course would be invaluable!

 

I'm gonna give this a go!

[Guest Leanne & Mark]

Good suggestion Ted, would be good to know who you are all using and where.

 

Keith, we liked the area around onkaparinga, and nourlunga. How long does it take to get city from there??

 

Also would all you guys say its cheaper, same or more expensive to build, for a similar newish house??

[Guest Guzzler&Sas]

Good suggestion Ted, would be good to know who you are all using and where.

 

Keith, we liked the area around onkaparinga, and nourlunga. How long does it take to get city from there??

 

Also would all you guys say its cheaper, same or more expensive to build, for a similar newish house??

 

 

Hi,

 

We used Statesman part of the Hickinbotham group, could not fault them although others will disagree, you can only speak as you find, I would say in our case it was cheaper for us to build plus you get what you want and if there is something you do not like you've only got yourself to blame,

 

Onky Hills is about 35,40,45 minutes drive from the CBD, depending on time of day, train into the city from Noarlunga can be as little as 30 minutes,

 

Guzzler

[Guest theforrests]

Hi Tina

 

We're also considering McLaren Flat for building a house - have you made a decision on schools yet? My eldest is also 6 and she goes to Seaford Rise Primary at the mo. I was looking at the McLaren Flat Primary website yesterday - and its tiny!

 

cheers

Sarah

[Guest Tina P]

Hi

 

Molly is 6 and will go to Mclaren Flat school.

 

Its having a $2.4million upgrade and the work has been going on for months now. I have not actually been into the school yet or looked at the website, the sign with the upgrade details is at the front of the school.

 

Which developmentare you looking at ?

 

Tina